Those are the unassailable sightings, but for believers in a flesh-and-blood version, "There have been more Bigfoot sightings here than anywhere in the world," said Linda Martin, who operates the blog bigfootsightings.org. "Happy Camp is surrounded by wilderness. It's one of the only areas left where they can survive."

View full sizeZach UrnessHappy Camp, Calif., is a town dedicated to all things Bigfoot. This picture comes from the annual Labor Day weekend Bigfoot Jamboree Parade.

The town of 1,110 is more than a place to launch a search for Bigfoot, though. Happy Camp is a place to explore some of the West Coast's most beautiful scenery in near solitude.

From the Marble Mountains to the Wild and Scenic Klamath River, the town is a jumping-off point for fishing, backpacking, rafting and any number of activities in between.

It's certainly not an easy place to reach. The route from Grants Pass requires a winding two-hour drive across the mountain on a road that's closed during winter. On the California side, Yreka is 70 miles away.

Just south of town is the Dear Madam Mining Claim, a place where 80-year-old San Francisco socialite Stella Patterson found adventure in the 1940s. Her book about taming the frontier as an octogenarian, "Dear Mad'm (Women of the West)," is a local classic. (Find the site where she lived about three miles south of Clear Creek near a takeout on the Klamath River called Ferry Point.)

Though the town has struggled through the collapse of logging and mining, as well as being so far off the beaten path, it has a hard-scrabble authenticity. This is no well-polished tourist town.

The people are friendly, the accommodations are cheap -- and the wilderness is across the street.

Here are a few ideas for exploring Bigfoot's backyard.

Rafting and kayaking

View full sizeZach UrnessThe Wild and Scenic Klamath River near Happy Camp has two beautiful options, including an upper and lower run. Pictured here is the slower, Class I run above Happy Camp, as the river heads into the canyons.

The nicest part of rafting and kayaking the Happy Camp area is there are runs suitable for everyone from beginners to experts.

The easiest area is the Klamath River above Happy Camp. This section features Class I rapids, mountain scenery and about three miles of roadless wilderness, with another 2.5 miles to the takeout at Klamath River Resort. Birds, otters and even bears are often seen from the water of this family-friendly float.

View full sizeZach UrnessThe Bear Lake hike, in the Siskiyou Wilderness, is one of the best day hikes from Happy Camp.

Just 12 miles south of Happy Camp on Elk Creek Road is trailhead access to one of the most beloved backpacking destinations in California.

The Marble Mountain Wilderness was first set aside in 1931 and now contains more than 241,744 acres of high divides, deep canyons, alpine lakes and wildflower valleys. Multiday backpacking trips are best, and should include the Sky High Lakes and the gorgeous Marble Rim, which sits like a white crown atop the wilderness.

The best option for a day hike, though, is to head more west than south, into the Siskiyou Wilderness' Bear Lake area. The trailhead is at Elbow Springs, a short drive from town at the end of Forest Service Road 15N19. The trail follows a wide-open ridgeline with great views of mountains on both sides before dropping into a beautiful multicolored basin that holds Bear Lake and Lower Bear Lake. The round-trip hike is 6.5 miles.

Steelhead and flies

There's a prominently placed sign in town that proclaims Happy Camp the "Steelhead Capital of the World." Though it's difficult to verify such a claim, there's little doubt fishing opportunities for both fly and bait anglers abound, especially during autumn.

The prime fishing months for steelhead begin in October and continue into February. The best area is the Klamath River between China Point and Chambers Flat above Happy Camp. The area has slower water ideal for fly-anglers, who typically use egg patterns, though any number of steelhead flies can be successful. The best months for fly-fishing are October and November.

Swimming holes

View full sizeZach Urness Robyn Orr of Grants Pass enjoys a swimming hole in Clear Creek, one of many mountain creeks with good swimming near Happy Camp.

The summers in Happy Camp are hot, averaging 90 degrees from June to September. The best way to escape the heat? Head into the mountains and explore local creeks for their numerous swimming holes. One of the most popular is called the "eddy" and can be found three miles up Elk Creek Road.

The most beautiful area to find swimming holes is Clear Creek. The drive takes you south of Happy Camp and up Clear Creek Road, where you'll follow a paved and then dirt road until you reach a sign that says "Slippery View." Hike down a very steep trail to a crystal clear pool of water between steep canyon walls.